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This the Stone Terms dictionary. You may find the meanings of some stone related words and phrases.
Please click below the first letter of the word you are looking for. Please click ALL to see all the terms and the meanings in one page.
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G/H/I/J/K - L - M/N/O - P - Q -
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T - U/V -
W - ALL
M
Machine finish : literally, badlands; refers to dark-coloured rock, commonly lava, in rough terrain. As defined for architectural use: calcium carbonate with other components which give it colour, markings and texture suitable as a desirable building stone.
Marble (scientific definition) : a metamorphic (recrystallized limestone composed predominantly of crystalline grains of calcite or dolomite, or both, having interlocking or mosaic texture, marble that contains less than 5% magnesium carbonate may be termed calcite marble; from 5 to 40 % magnesium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium or dolomite marble. These limiting values are, however, not strictly established in petrologic science and are used herein as arbitrary limits.
• Onyx – so called in trade, is a crystalline form, commonly micro crystalline, of calcium carbonate deposited usually from cold-water solutions. It is generally translucent and shows a characteristic layering, the term onyx marble is technically a misnomer, as true onyx is a variety of cryptocrystalline fibrous silica (chalcedony), and is closely related in form and origin to agate.
• Serpentine – marble characterised by a prominent amount of the mineral serpentine.
• Travertine – a form of limestone precipitated from ground waters as in caves or in orifices of springs (see limestone).
• Verde antique – a commercial marble composed chiefly of massive serpentine and capable of taking a high degree of polish. Verde antique is not a true marble in the scientific sense but is commonly sold as a decorative commercial marble and requires the adjective modifier Verde (or verd) antique. Verde antique is commonly veined with carbonate minerals, chiefly calcite and dolomite.
Masonry : built up construction , usually of a combination of materials set in mortar.
Metamorphism : the change or alteration in a rock cause by exterior agencies such as deep-seated heat and pressure, or intrusion or rock materials.
Miter : the junction of two units at an angle of which the junction lines usually bisect on a 450 angle.
Modular multiple-cut (pattern-cut) : this refers to standard pattern used throughout the stone industry. These patterns are usually based on multiples of a given height. Stone that is multiple cut or pattern cut is pre-cut to allow typically for ¼ - ½ inch (6 or 13mm) joints or beds.
Mouldings : decorative stone deviating from a plane surface by projections, curved profiles, recesses or any combination thereof.
Mortar : a plastic mixture of cement, lime, sand, and water used to bond masonry units.
Mosaic : a veneering which is generally irregular with no definite pattern. Nearly all the stone used in a mosaic pattern is irregular in shape.
N
Natural Bed : the Setting of the stone on the same plane as it was formed in the ground. This generally applies to all stratified materials.
Natural cleft : this generally pertains to stones which are formed in layers in the ground, When such stones are cleaved or separated along a natural seam the remaining surface is referred to as a natural cleft surface.
Non-Staining mortar : Mortar composed of materials which individually or collectively do not contain material that will stain, usually having a very low alkali content.
O
Obsidian : a glassy phase of lava.
Onyx marble : A dense, crystalline form of lime carbonate deposited usually from cold-water solutions. Generally translucent and showing a characteristic layering due to mode of accumulation.
Oolitic limestone : A calcite-cemented calcareous stone formed of shells and shell fragments, practically non-crystalline in character. It is found in massive deposits located almost entirely in Lawrence, Monroe, and Owen Counties, IN, and Alabama, Kansas, and Texas. This limestone is characteristically freestone, without cleavage planes, possessing a remarkable uniformity of composition, texture and structure, It possesses a high internal elasticity, adapting itself without damage to extreme temperature changes.
Opalized : The introduction into a rock of siliceous material in the form of opal, hydrous silicate.
Out of wind : The be out of wind is to have the arris of the stone not in parallel or perpendicular lines. Stone that is out of wind has an irregular or rustic appearance.
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